Roller skate



May 6, 1952 BALSTAD 2,595,751

ROLLER SKATE 2 SHEETS-SI-IEET 1 Filed May 6, 1949 .EDWAR D BALSTAD AT Tofims y 6, 1952 E. BI'ALSTAD 2,595,751

ROLLER SKATE Filed May 6, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR EDWARD BALSTAD ATTORNEYS Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention appertains to roller skates and more particularly to roller skates of the type shown in my prior Patent No. 2,446,070, issued April 5, 1949.

One of the primary objects of my present invention is to provide an improved wheel assembly which can be readily and quickly attached to or removed from the skate plate and at the same time be firmly held in correct position thereon against accidental loosening.

Another salient object of the invention is to provide a novel cushioning support for each wheel assembly, whereby the wheel assemblies upon swinging movement relative to the foot plate, incident to making turns and the like, will automatically return to their normal straight position, the cushioning support functioning to resist both twisting and longitudinal strains.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for uniting the wheel assemblies with their cushion supports and with the skate plate.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a novel bearing construction for the stub axles of the wheel assemblies for effectively taking care of radial and end thrusts.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novel stop block and brake shoe carried by the front of the skate plates, so as to permit the quick stopping of the skater by a toe action and to permit abrupt and complicated turns to be made by a figure skater on the tips of the skate plates.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar-

rangement and formation of parts as will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a skate constructed in accordance with my invention, parts of the view being shown in section, the section of such part being taken on the line I-l of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the improved skate.

Figure 3 is a transverse, sectional View through the skate taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating theconstruction of one of the wheel assemblies, and the means of associating a wheel assembly with a skate plate. if

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a part of the skate taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a detail fragmentar front elevational view illustrating the machine screw employed for connecting a wheel assembly with the skate plate.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 'I'I of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, the sleeve or barrel for the hearing and stub axles being shown in bottom plan. Figure 8 is a detail transverse sectional view through the skate plate taken on the line 88 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the sleeves or barrels for a wheel assembly.

Figure 10 is a transverse central section through the barrel taken on the line I 0l0 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the barrel taken on the line |'ll I of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter R generally indicates a roller skate embodying my new features.

As illustrated in the drawings, the skate R is of the type which is adapted to be permanently secured to a shoe l0 and rivets II or other fastening element can be employed for connecting the shoe to the skate.

The skate R includes a foot plate [2 and the plate has formed thereon depending and preferably inwardly directed brackets or sockets i3 and M. For the sake of strength and appearance, the sockets I3 and Hi can be connected together by an arcuate bridge piece I5, which in effect forms a part of the foot plate l2. Attention is directed to the fact that wherever possible, the foot plate is hollowed out so as to lighten the weight thereof. One of the important features of the body of the skate is the inclined front wall l6 which is joined to the front socket i3 and the front edge of the skate plate [2. The purpose of this plate IB will be later set forth but it is to be noted, again, that the plate 16 is located at the extreme front of the skate and that the same inclines inwardly and downwardly.

The sockets l3 and H!- are each constructed identically the same and the inner walls thereof are provided with longitudinalways t7 and these ways constitute: an important feature of my. in-

vention. Each of the sockets receive a cushion block l3 and each block is formed from resilient material, such as rubber. The blocks themselves preferably taper toward the upper ends and the sockets are tapered to agree with the taper of the blocks. Formed on the blocks are longitudinal ribs l9 and these ribs l9 are received within the ways ll. Each block l8 extends entirely in the socket and abuts against the inner wall of its socket and the blocks extend beyond the sockets. The outer ends of the blocks are provided with substantially semi-cylindrical cavities or seats 20, the purpose of which will also later appear. It is to be noted that while the cushioning blocks I8 are of a solid construction, they are provided with longitudinal bores 2 I, which open out through the opposite ends thereof. The bores are centrally located and communicate with the seats 29. The bores are also preferably of a square shape in cross section. The inner walls of the sockets l3 and I4 are provided with tapered openings 22, which are in registration with the bores of the cushion blocks i8, and the bores of the blocks have their upper ends tapered to mate the openings 22.

The cushion blocks E8 support and carry the front and rear wheel assemblies 23 and 24. These assembiies are of an identical construction and hence only one will be described in detail. Each wheel assembl includes a sleeve or barrel 25,

which is adapted to extend transversely across the body of the skate and each barrel is fitted within its seat 26 of its cushioning block IS. The sleeve or barrel 25 carries stub axles '23 for the skate rollers 21 and these rollers can be formed of any desired material, such as wood. The rollers are firmly mounted upon the stub axles for rotation therewith, and any preferred means can be utilized for connecting the rollers with the axles. As illustrated, the outer ends of the axles are threaded and receive washers 28, having -prongs 29, which engage in the material of the roll-ers. Nuts 39 are threaded on the outer ends of the stub axles so as to firmly bind the washers 23 against the rollers or wheels. The washers themselves may have a flat portion which mates with a fiat portion on the axle. Attention is directed to the fact that the stub axles extend into the sleeve or barrel 25, and that they terminate short of the transverse center of the barrel. The stub axles 25 have formed thereon or secured thereto intermediate their ends annular stop shoulders 3 1, against which the inner faces of the rollers 27 fit. The inner ends of the axles are reduced in diameter to form stop shoulders 32 for purpose which will now appear. The stub axles are supported in a novel manner within the barrel so that the same will freely rotate and so that end thrusts on the axles in both directions will be taken care of. Fitted against the shoulders 32 are the inner races of ball or like bearings 33 and the outer races of these hearings engage against the opposite sides of an annular internal ring 34 carried by the barrel 25. Also mounted on the stub axles are roller bearings 35 and the outer races of these hearings are fitted in direct engagement with the barrel. The outer races of the ball bearings are spaced from the inner surface of ie barrel. After the roller bearings 35 are placed on the stub axles and the ball bearings 33 are positioned on the axles, the inner ends of the axles can be upset as at 39. This holds the bearings on the axles and the axles and bearings are now inserted in the barrel 25 until the. outer races of the ball, bearings 33 engage the internal ring 34. The ends of the barrel 25 can now be rolled in as at 31 against the outer races of the roller bearings 35. This effectively and permanently holds the stub axles and the bearings in the barrel. It is to be noted that all thrust load is taken by the ball bearings 33 and that only radial load is taken by the needle or roller bearings 35. It is also to be noted that the rollers 2'! can be quickly replaced when worn by removing the nuts 30.

The novel means employed for connecting the wheel assemblies in place will now be described.

' A socket sleeve 38 of a square shape in cross section is fitted in the bore 2| of the cushion block through the socket opening 22. The socket sleeve 38 carries a cylindrical extension 39 and fitted on this extension 39 is a tapered cushion rubber plug 40, and this rubber cushioning plug is firmly seated against the wall of the opening 22, and against the square sleeve 38. In order to hold the tapered cushion block 40 in position, the upper end of the cylindrical part 39 can be upset as at 4|. The lower end of the socket sleeve 38 extends below the cushion block and the barrel 25 receives the lower end of the socket sleeve 38 in a novel manner, which will now be described.

The internal ring 34 is provided with a slot 42 and this slot registers with a square opening 49' in the barrel and the lower end of the ring 34 is provided with a round opening 4| which registers with an opening 42 in the bottom of the barrel. The lower square end of the socket sleeve I8 is received within the square opening 40 in the barrel and in the slot 42 of the ring. The socket sleeve is internally threaded for the reception of a machine screw 43, which extends into the barrel 25 through the openings 4| and 42'. The head 44 of the screw engages the outer face of the barrel and by threading the screw into the sleeve socket the barrel can be firmly held in the seat 20 of the cushion block it, and the block can be somewhat compressed. This gives a frictional engagement of the head 44 with the outer face of the barrel, which functions to prevent loosening of the screw. In order to overcome unintentional loosening of the screw, the outer face of the barrel 25 on each side of the opening 42', can be provided with a radial recess 45. The head 44 of the screw can carry radially extending pins 46 which snap into the grooves 45 when the screw is tightened. By forming the ring 34 with the slot 42 the machining of the parts is lessened and facilitated, as the slot 42 provides fiat faces for receiving the lower square end of the socket sleeve l8. The forming of the opening 40' in the barrel can be easily accomplished due to the comparative thinness of the material from which the sleeve is made.

In use of the skate, it can be seen that the sleeves or barrels 25, and consequently, the rollers, are supported entirely by the cushion blocks l8, and that the socket sleeve 38 for the screw 43 is also resiliently supported; consequently, little or no jar will be imparted to the wearer of the skates. In making turns, the sleeves or barrels 25 can swing in either direction to a limited extent, and such movement of the barrels tends to twist the cushion blocks. The blocks are prevented from turning movement by the engagement of their ribs, I9, in the longitudinal ways I! and consequently, as soon as a turn is completed the barrels will be immediately returned to their normal position transversely of the skate plate.

The skates are of the so-called. professional type in which figures and ballet work is done. In order to facilitate this type of skating, I employ a novel shoe brake or stop 41, at the front or toe of each skate. This brake shoe can be formed from any desired material, such as hard rubber andin the present instance, I prefer to use a semi-circular wooden block 48 covered with an outer facing 49 of leather or the like. The inner face of the wooden block is left flat for snug engagement with the front wall I6 of the skates and if desired a rubber pad 50 can be interposed between the fiat face of the brake shoe 48 and the wall l6. Particular attention is directed to the fact that the outer active face of the brake shoe is a complete semi-circle to pro vide a rocker. The brake shoe can be fastened to the plate I6, in any desired way, but preferably by means of a fastening machine screw 5|, which extends into the block 48. This screw is threaded in a socket carried by the wall Hi. In order to prevent turning of the brake shoe on the screw, the wall l6 has rigidly fastened thereto outwardly extending pins 52 which are received in sockets 53 formed in the block 43.

By rising on the toes and bringing the brake shoes into engagement with the skating surface, quick stops can be made and skilled persons can bring the outer faces of the brake shoes into engagement with the floor with the rollers of the skate entirely of? of the floor. This will permit the making of complicated turns and other desirable toe work.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. A roller skate comprising a foot plate, depending brackets carried by the foot plate having sockets, cushion blocks fitted in said sockets and extending below the brackets, said cushion blocks being tapered and said sockets having mating tapered walls whereby the blocks are wedged in said sockets, a barrel carried by the lower end of each cushion block, axles carried by the barrel and rollerson said axles.

2. A roller skate comprising a foot plate, brackets carried by the foot plate, each of said brackets havin a socket and the walls of said sockets being provided with longitudinal ways, cushion blocks fitted in said sockets having longitudinal ribs received in said ways for resisting bore of a polygonal shape in cross section, the inner wall of each socket being provided with an opening, a socket sleeve extending through the opening and into the bore of the cushion block, said socket sleeve being of the same cross sectional configuration as the bore, a barrel fitted against each block, axles carried by the barrels, and rollers on the axles, said barrels having diametrically extending openings registering with the bores of the blocks, and a screw extending through the openings in each barrel and threaded into the socket sleeves.

4. A roller skate as set forth in claim 3, in which the heads of the screws are characterized by having radially extending pins and the barrels with grooves for receiving said heads upon the tightening of the screws against the tension of the blocks.

5. A roller skate comprising a foot plate, depending brackets oarried by the foot plate, each of said brackets having a socket, a cushion block fitted in each socket and protruding below its bracket, each cushion block having a longitudinal bore of a polygonal shape in cross section, the inner wall of each socket being provided with an opening, a socket sleeve extending through the opening and into the bore of the cushion block, said socket sleeve being of the same cross sectional configuration as the bore, a barrel fitted against each block, having a polygonal opening registering with the bore of its block and receiving the lower end of the socket sleeve, a ring fitted centrally within the barrel having a slot registering with the opening in the barrel and also receiving the lower end of the socket sleeve, the lower end of the ring and barrel having openings, a screw extending through the last mentioned openings and into the socket sleeve, stub axles carried by the barrels, bearings for the stub axles carried by the barrels, bearings for the stub axles abutting the ring, and rollers on the outer ends of the stub axles.

I EDWARD BALSTAD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,440 Harries et a1 Apr. 4, 1876 882,999 Copenhaver et a1. Mar. 24, 1908 1,228,111 Hardy May 29, 1917 2,356,736 Blaes Aug. 29, 1944 2,466,070 Balstad Apr. 5, 1949 2,485,147 Fowlkes Oct. 18, 1949 2,490,849 Wagner Dec. 13, 1949 2,508,980 Wall May 23, 1950 

